‘UAE moving forward to become the best tourist destination in the world’

A wide range of activities will take place during the 4th Accessible Travel and Tourism International Conference taking place in Dubai on Jan.11 and 12, under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group, at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Business Bay.

The conference is aimed at making all cities friendly to People of Determination and underscore the need for strengthening legislations, policies, infrastructure, and services, especially in the areas of air, land, and sea transportation, in addition to accommodation and hospitality services, to meets their needs and aspirations and help them discover the world with ease.

The conference also aims to shed light on the challenges faced by about 1.3 billion people with Special Needs, according to UN World Health Organization (UNWHO) - 50 million of whom live in the Middle East region alone.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said that the UAE is moving forward to become the best tourist destination in the world.

As part of the activities, the Conference will host a workshop organised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during the conference, in the presence of officials and stakeholders from airlines and airports, to inform them of the latest requirements and standards applied to provide services that meet the needs of people with Special Needs during travel.

The conference is sponsored and supported by Emirates Airlines as the Official Airline, Dubai Economy and Tourism, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) as a Strategic Partner, as the Destination Partner, Dubai Duty Free as Silver Sponsor and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel as the Official Host.

Several senior officials and experts from local government agencies like the Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, and the Dubai Economy and Tourism, along with international organisations like the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), UNESCO, and Airports Council International (ACI-World), will speak at the conference being organised annually by Nadd Al Shiba PR & Event Management in Dubai.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the patron of the conference, said: “Dubai continues its efforts and initiatives to bring decision-makers and experts in the field of accessible tourism under one roof, fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and showcasing to the world its exceptional efforts in supporting this significant segment of the local and international communities. It also highlights the achievements of the UAE as a leading country where people with disabilities are given special priority.”

He added, “The UAE is on the path to becoming the world’s best destination for tourism services, and I call for international efforts to ensure the provision of easily accessible tourism for over a billion people around the world.”

The summit aims to shed light on the needs of this segment during their travel and movement from one place to another, and thus work to provide them to make the places and facilities that they use or go to, such as hotels, resorts, airports, transportation and communication, shopping centres, beaches, parks, and museums, available to them and meet their needs.

Among the speakers are Prince Mired Raad Bin Zeid Al-Hussein, President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Jordan, Amr El-Kady, CEO of the Egypt Tourism Authority, Evan Hall, CEO of Tourism Council of Western Australia, Salah Khaled, Director of UNESCO DOHA Office of Gulf States and Yemen, and Daniela Bas, former Director of the Division for Comprehensive Social Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and other senior officials and experts.

In their speeches, the speakers will address the experience of their countries and institutions and best practices leading to accessible tourism, friendly infrastructure, and various facilities and services in sectors such as hospitality, transportation, health, insurance, and communication, which take into account the requirements of different segments of people with needs. In addition to addressing the most prominent challenges facing these tourists around the world, and revealing the solutions, legislation, and type of services they need from the moment they make the decision to travel, arriving at their intended destination, spending their vacations, and until they return to their country in order to make their travel experience a pleasant, hassle-free memory.

Tourists and visitors of people of determination constitute a large tourist segment that spends billions of dollars annually, and they look forward to visiting cities that are more friendly and meet their needs while traveling, staying, moving, and visiting tourist destinations in these cities. The 50 million people of determination who live in the Middle East represent a promising opportunity to strengthen the tourism industry in the countries of the region and provide thousands of new job opportunities.